Members of the Stewkley Singers are busy preparing for their forthcoming performance of Elgar’s choral masterpiece “The Dream of Gerontius” which will take place on Saturday 20th May 2023.
Few would have thought that the small group of singers assembled to sing carols in St Michael’s Church in 2006 could have grown into a choir capable of tackling such a programme. For many, Gerontius is the ultimate “choral great” and is widely regarded as one of Elgar’s most thrilling masterpieces. Elgar himself famously considered it to be his best work, something few would argue with. It is rarely performed by amateur choral societies and thus proves to be a very special occasion for music lovers in our area.
The music is set to a poem by John Henry Newman, about a man’s soul journeying to the judgment throne, led by his guardian angel. In the concert, which will take place at All Saints Church, Leighton Buzzard, the Stewkley Singers will be joined by members of All Saints Church Choir and St Nicholas’ Church Choir, Harpenden, to depict the friends, priests, demons and angels Gerontius encounters along the way.
Joining them are acclaimed soloists, whose credentials include the English National Opera and the BBC Singers: mezzo-soprano Serenna Wagner (Angel); tenor Peter Davoren (Gerontius); and bass-baritone Edward Price (Priest/Angel of the Agony), himself from Leighton Buzzard. Accompanying will be the Wigmore Chamber Orchestra.
The evening promises to be a memorable performance for Stewkley Singers and will be a wonderful celebration of getting back to normal post pandemic when singing was a banned activity. There will be over one hundred performers taking part and we very much hope that you will buy a ticket and support us. Come and marvel in Gerontius’ journey; we need an audience, and it would be wonderful to see you there.
Jenny Morgan: Conductor
Tickets from Julia (01525 240671) or Room No. 9, Leighton Buzzard
